Compiled XLS Padlock EXE closes when Windows file dialog opens (Save As / Insert Image)

Hello, I have a problem where when a user tries to save the file, as soon as the Windows file explorer dialog opens, the compiled .exe file created with XLS Padlock closes. The same thing happens when they try to insert images — when the Windows file explorer opens to select the image, the application closes as well. It seems the conflict occurs specifically when the Windows explorer dialog is opened. We disabled the antivirus and the issue still happens. It does not happen on my machine — it only happens to one of my clients. I saw in this forum that this issue has been reported since 2019. Is there any solution or recommended action to fix this?

Answered to your ticket.

I had the same problem with a customer in 2025 and it was at the end the NORTON anti-virus protection. Never understood why though.

Thanks for sharing this data point! We've seen similar file-dialog crashes pinned on Norton's behavioral/exploit protection intercepting the Excel process when the Windows common dialog is spawned from inside a protected EXE.

For anyone hitting this in the future, the usual fixes on the Norton side are:

• Add the compiled EXE (and the XLS Padlock secured workbook folder) to Norton's exclusion/allow list, including the Auto-Protect, SONAR / Behavioral Protection, and Data Protector exclusions
• Disable (or whitelist) Norton's "Exploit Prevention" / "Proactive Exploit Protection" for the EXE
• Code-sign the EXE (see https://www.xlspadlock.com/doc/code-sign-your-exe-file-digital-signature) — a signed binary is much less likely to be flagged by heuristic/behavioral AV engines

Code signing + an AV exclusion is the combination that resolves this in most cases we've seen.